Double rope skipping toy



Jan. 3, 1933.

C. KREUTZER DOUBLE ROPE SKIPPING TOY Filed June l5. 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR j) Mmmm? Jan. 3, 1933.

c. KREUTZER 1,893,173

DOUBLE ROPE SKIPPING TOY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June l5, 1931 INVENTOR jqzf afgfr ATTRNEY Patented Jan. 3, 1933 UNET@ STATES CASPER KREUTZER, 0F MILLTONN, NEVI JERSEY DOUBLE- ROPE Application filed .Func 15,

rThis invention relates to new and useful improvements in a toy child skipping double rope.

The invention has for an object the construction of a toy of the class mentioned which is characterized by adjacent gears arranged upon one side of a transparent casing, and rigid arched shaped members simulating ropes attached upon the adjacent gears at one of their ends, eccentrically and on opposite sides from each other.

As a still Jfurther object of this invention, it is proposed to provide the casing with a Celluloid cover, or the like, whereby the interior may be clearly viewable.

As another object ot this invention, it is proposed to provide a means for driving the adjacent gears to cause the arched members to move as though the ropes were turned for LAL) skipping.

As another object of this invention, it is proposed to provide a doll within the casing within the vicinity of the arched members, and a means for reciprocating the doll vertically synchronized with the driving means so that the effect is obtained of the doll when skipping the ropes.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of means for moving the doll one wav or the other. horizontally, during the jumping. The purpose of' this is that a person jumping' a rope cannot maintain a stationary position and moves naturally sideways.

A still further object of this invention is the construction of a device of the class mentioned which is of simple, durable construee tion, desirable in use, and efficient in action, and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanyingT drawings. and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a material part ot' this disclosure Fig. l is a front elevational view of a de- SKIPPING TOY 193i. mai No. 544,303.

vice constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 3 but illustrating a modified construction of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of a device consl ructed according to a modification of this invention.

Fig'. 6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line 7 7 or Fig. G.

F ig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view talzen on the line 8 8 of Fig. but showing` a modified form of the invention.

F 9 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Fig'. l0 is a schematic wiring diagram of the device.

The toy, according to this invention, comprises a casing which consists of a base 10, spaced non-transparent transverse end members l1 and a Celluloid cover 12 over the end members. rlhe Celluloid permits inspection of the interior of the casing while the nontransparent members l1 serve to house certain mechanism to operate the toy.

The mechanism referred to comprises a pair of adjacent meshing` gears 13 rotatively mounted within one of the members ll. A rigid arched member llt is attached at one of its ends upon each of the gears 13. These arched members are spaced eccentrically upon the gears at diametrically opposite phases, that is., when one is directly at the bottom, the other is directly at the top. The arched members 14 are arched in opposite directions as clearly shown lin Fig. l to simulate a double rope in the act of being turned for skipping. For the purpose or making the arched members simulate a rope, they are formed with peripheral grooves simulating the strands of the rope.

A means is provided for driving the gears 13 to move the members lli through their turning` sections. This means is in the form of a pinion l5 meshing with one of the gears 13 and constituting the last gear of a train of gears 16 operated by a customary helical spring. The details of the gear system in its connection with the spring 17 will not be gone into since it comprises but the customary spring motor. Suffice it to say, that a winding key is provided for winding the springy as it runs down during the operation of the device. An auxiliary casing 19 of nontransparent material is attached upon one side of one of the members 11v for the purpose of housing the spring motor.

A doll 2O is disposed within the casina' in a position so as to be capable of jumping the arched members 14 as the latter elements rotate.v This doll is shown supported upon a horizontal rod 21. A means is provided for reciprocating the rodso that the doll jumps vertically. This means is synchronized with the driving means ofthe gears 13. More particularly, a transverse partition 22 is `arranged Within the end member 1 1 and is formed with a'vertical slot 23 through which the rod 21 passes. The inner end of the rod connects with a link 24 pivotally mounted upon an eccentric pin 25 on a disc 26 fixed upon a shaft 27 which is rotatively supported within the casing and carries a gear 23 in meshwithan idler 29. The shaft 27 is providedwithprotectingsleeve27. Theidlerrmeshes with one of the gears 13 andhas the same number of teeth, while the gear 28 has one-half the number of teeth so that' the doll will go through twojumps on each rotation-,of the gears 13. The idea is that the doll jumps first over one of the arched members 14 and then over the other during each cycle of operation.

In Fig. 4 a modified arrangement of the device has been shown in which a means is provided for moving the doll 2O in one direction or the other during jumping, This means comprises, first of all, slidablyY mounting the doll upon the rod 21. For this purpose, the rod is provided with a squared section 30 so that the doll cannot' rotate thereon but be restricted to sliding only. Collars 31 are attached upon the rod 21 to limit possible sliding. A coaxial spring 32 is arranged upon the squared portion30 of the rod and is attached upon one of the collars 31 and uponl 'the doll 20. An electro-magnet 33 is mounted within one of the casing ends 11 immediately to the side of the rod 21. This electro-magnet is in a circuit. which includes a battery 34 or other source of power and a controlling switch 35. The doll20 is formed with an iron core .36 so that when the magnet 33 is in operation it is drawn towards the side. As the device` operates, the doll 2O will skip the rope and the child playing with the toy, may close the switch 35 to cause the magnet 33 to draw the doll against the restraining action of the spring 32. It is calculated that the doll will notjump in one step completely across the bar, but rather would do so in steps since as the doll moves it will become jammed due to binding and it will take a jerk to loosen it. After it has reached the right hand end of its travel, the switch 35 may be opened so that the spring 32 draws it back to its Original position.

The operation of the device may beltraced by first assuii ing it in an unwouiid condition. `The key 18 should be turned to wind the spring motor. The device will then start opera-ting which operation consists in the gears 13 rotating so as to cause the arched members 14 toy rotate around in circles. Simultaneously, rotations from one of the gears 13 will be transmitted to the-disc 26 toreciprocate the doll 2O vertically. The simulation will thus be had of the doll skipping the rope.

In Figs. 5 to 10 inclusive, a modilicationy of the invention has been disclosed in which the toy is of sufficient size, so that a child may` actually stand upon the platform ofthe toy and jump rope, that is, over` the various arched members 14 as they pass around in their path. The device comprises a base 10 upon which a casing 40 is mounted at one end. This case is provided with a transversepartition 41. A pair of standards 42 is located within the casing 40 behind the partition 41 and rotatively supporting a pair ofA gears 43V located to the front of the partition 41Y and meshing with each other. An electric motor 44 is mounted Within the casingand and the arched members are mounted ony these lugs by pintle pins 49. These pins are arranged radially so that the arms can only swing ina plane at right angles to the radius of the-gears.

The other end of the arched members 14 may befree yas in Fig. 1 or connected to'gear drive 43.V

A means is provided for automaticallyV shutting off the electric motor to stop operation of the devicev in the event that a child jumping the rope misses and causesone of the arched members to strike against its foot. This means is in the form of a contact linger 50 projecting from each of'thearchedjmenibers substantially at right angles Vtothe plane:

of the arched member and normally contacting with contacts 51 upon the gears 43.

Springs 5,2 act against the arc-hedmembers 14s@ as to hold them in theirA operative positions in which the contacts 50 engage the contacts 51. |The contacts 51 are electrically connected With collector rings 53 upon the rubs ol gears Which engage with brushes 511 stationarily mounted.

Examining F ig. 10, it should be noticed that the device is provided With an electrical vcircuit which may be traced from the source of povver 55, to one ot the brushes 54, then one of the collector rings 53, to the contact 51 and next to the contact 50. This particular contact is provided With a piece of insulation 56 so as to insulate it from the other parts of the device. A lead 57 contacts the Contact 50 with the other brush 54.- so that the circuit may continue through the other collector rings 53 to the contact 51 and finally the contact 50 and the ground. The electric motor del is connected with the ground and With the source ol' current 55.

The operation may be traced .by assuming a. child umping the arched members and the toy Working. ln the event that through a misstep either of the arched members strikes the child, it vvill automatically7 bend so as to substantially reduce the striking force due to the pivoting on the pint-.les 49. Such pivoting opens the electric circuit through the motor to cause its stoppage.

ln Figs. 8 and 9 the brake arrangement 58 is shown consisting of an internal ratchet arrangement 59 engaged by plunger G0 which is pulled into operating position when a child steps on the arched member 14.

llllhile l have shown and described the pre- Jferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modiiicati ons coming Within the scope oi the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States lietters Patent is 1.v A toy, comprising a pair of spur gears meshing with each other, a second pair of spur gears meshing With each other and spaced from said pair of spur gears and having both axes aligning With both axes oit' said first pair of Vspur gears, all of said gears being rotatively sizpported on the faces remote from the adjacent faces of said pairs of spur gears, a pair of rigid arched-shaped members attached at their ends on and between all of the opposed gears of said pairs of gears, said rigid arched-shaped members being at phases dii'- fering 180O from each other, that is, for eX- ample when one arched-shaped member is at the top the other is at the bottom, means for driving said spur gears including an electric motor so as to revolve the arched-shaped members, and means for cutting of the electric current through said motor when the rigid arch-shaped members engage against somebody, as the legs of a child skipping the arched members.

2. A toy, comprising a pair of spur gears meshing With each other, a second pair of spur gears meshing with each other and spaced from said pair ol' spur gears and having both aires aligning with both axes of said iirst pair ci' spur gears, all of said gears being rotatively supported on the faces remote from the adjacent faces of said pairs of spur gears, a pair yof rigid arched-shaped members attached at their ends on and between all of the opposed gears of said pairs of gears, said rigid arched-shaped members being at phases differing 180 from each other, that is, for example when one arched-shaped member is at the top the other is at the bottom, means for driving said spur gears including an electric motor so as to revolve the arched-shaped members, and means for cutting of the electric current through said motor When the rigid arch-shaped members engage against somebody, as the or" a child skipping the arched members, said rigid members being pivotally mounted upon the gears so as to be limited to swing in planes Which are at right angles to radial planes of gears.

8. A toy, comprising a pair orn spur gears meshing with each other, a second pair of spur gears meshing Wit-h each other and spaced trom said pair of spur gears and having both axes aligning with both axes of said first pair of spur gears, all of said gears being rotatively supported on the faces remote from the adjacent faces of said pairs of spur gears, a pair of rigid arched-shaped members attached at their ends on and between all or" the opposed gears of said pairs 'of gears, said rigid arched-shaped members being at phases differing 180o from each other, that is, for example when one archedshaped member is at the top the other is at the bottom, means for driving said spur gears including' an electric motor so as to revolve the arched-shaped members, and means for cutting of the electric current through said motor when the rigid arch-shaped members engage against somebody, as the legs of a child skipping the arched members, comprising pintle pins supporting said arch-shaped members to swing on the gears, contact lingers on the arch-shaped members normally engaging contacts to close a circuit through the motor, and resilient means for holding the archshaped members with the contacts in their engaged positions.

-l-. A toy, comprising a pair of spur gears meshing with each other, a second pair of spur gears meshing with each other and spaced from said pair cf spur gears and having both axes aligning with both axes ot said lirst pair of spur gears, all ot said gears being rotatively supported on the faces remote from the adjacent faces of said pairs of spur gears. a pair of rigid arched-shaped members atftached at their ends Ion and between all of the opposed gears of said pairs of gears,'said rigid'arched-shaped members being at phases differing 180O from each other, that is, for

.examplewhen one arched-shaped lmember is atthertop :the other is at the bottom, moans 'for driving said spur gears 'including an electric motor soas to-revolve the arched-shaped lmembersand Vmeans for cutting of the elecftric current through said motor when the rigid arch-shaped members engage against somebody, as the legs ofV a child skipping the archedrmembers, includingcontacts on the gears lconnected withv collector rings, and

brushes engaging said collector rings and in- -cludedin a circuit for controlling the motor.

5. A toy, kcomprising a pair of spur gears meshing vwith each other, a second pair of Vspur t gears 'meshing with each other and spaced from said pair of spur gears and having both axes aligning with both axes of said first pair ofspur gears, all of said gears being rotatively supported on the faces remote from the adjacent faces of said pairs 'of spur gears, a pair of rigid arched-shaped members yattached at their endson and between all of the opposed gears of said pairs of gears, said rigid arched-shaped members being -at phases differing 180 from each other,"that is, for example when one arched- -shapedimember is at the top the other is at the bottom, means for driving said spur gears including an electric motor so as to revolve the arched-shaped members, and means for cuttingV off the electric current through said motor when the rigid arch-shaped members engage against somebody, as the legs of a child skipping the arched members, comprising pintle pins supporting said archshapedmembers, to swing on the gears, con- `ltactfingers ont-he arch-shaped members norspacedfrom said pair of spur gears and having both axes aligning with both axes of operating by the stepping of a child upon the Varched members and for stopping the device. l j 1 7. A toy, comprising a' pair of spur gears meshing with each other, a second pair of f spur gears meshing with each lother and spacedfroin said pair of Spui' gears and having both axes laligning with both axes of said first pair of spur gears, all of said gears being rotatively supported on the faces remote from the-adjacent faces 0f said pairs of spur gears, a pair of rigid arched-shaped members attached at their ends on and between all of the opposed gears of said -pairs of gears, saidrigid arched-shaped members being at phases differing 180O from each other, that is, for example when one archedshaped member is at the top the other is at the bottom, means for drivingsaid spur gears including an electric motor so asto revolve the arched-shaped members, means for stopping'th-e device when a child using the 'device makes a misstep.

8. A toy, comprising a pair of spur gears meshing with Aeach other, a second pair of spur gears meshing with each other and spaced from said pair of spur gears and having both axes aligning with both axes of said first pair of spur gears, all of said gears being `rotatively supported on the faces remote from the adjacent faces of said pairs vof spur gears, a pair of rigid arched-shaped members attached at their ends on and between all of the opposed gears of said pairs of gears, said rigid arched-shaped members .being at phases differing 180O from each other, that is, for example when one archedshaped member is at the top the other is at the bottom, means for driving said spur gears including an electric motor so as to revolve the arched-shaped members, braking means operating by the stepping of a child upon the arched members and for stopping the device, comprising vplungers engaged by the arched members and engageable against ratchet teeth, and means for normally urging the plunger into an inoperative position.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my si gnature.V Y

CASPER KREUTZER.

said yfirst pair of spur gears, all of said gears f being'rotatively supported on the faces remote Yfrom the adjacent faces of said pairs of spur gears, a pair of rigid arched-shaped members attached at their ends on andy between all ofthe opposed gears of said pairs of gears, said rigid arched-shaped members being at phases differing 180O from each Vother,-that is, for example when one archedshaped member is at the top the other is at thebottom, means for driving said spur gears including lan electric ,motor so as to revolve the arched-shaped members, braking means 

